Drivers

Arkansas Senate Modifies Trucker Fine Bill

The Arkansas Senate Transportation Committee has modified House Bill 1842, which increases fines for speeding truckers.

The original House bill would have added a $500 to $1,000 minimum fine on top of fine levels and court costs already in place. The Senate version sets fines for trucks at $50 for each mile per hour in excess of 5 mph over the posted speed limit. The full Senate has to approve the measure before it goes back to the House. Arkansas lawmakers hope to adjourn by the end of this week, so action will likely take place soon."While not as bad as it was, the legislation is still blatantly unfair to truckers," says an e-mail alert from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Assn. "With a differential speed limit in place, a truck operating at 71 mph can be tagged with the additional fines for driving with the flow of traffic."You can visit the Arkansas General Assembly web site at http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us.